Katia Bannister, left, from the Cowichan chapter of the Earth Guardians, and Jane Kilthei from One Cowichan role up a petition with more than 1,800 names asking the CVRD to declare a climate emergency at a meeting last fall. (File photo)

Cowichan group hosting virtual town hall on climate change after COVID-19

Cowichan Valley representatives MP Alistair MacGregor, MLA Sonia Furstenau, and Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples will join a virtual town hall to talk about a green recovery from the COVID-19 crisis on May 14 at 3:30 p.m.

Governments around the world including in Canada will be spending billions of dollars to kick start the economy after the pandemic, raising the question of whether that stimulus will result in a reduction or expansion of emissions.

The online event will take place over Zoom and is being sponsored by the Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians, For Our Kids, and One Cowichan.

“Though many are currently campaigning for a return to normal, we cannot let this happen. A return to normal is resuming a course towards climate chaos,” said Katia Bannister, one of the leaders of the Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians.

“We need a green recovery plan at all levels of government that will put us on a regenerative and equitable path moving forwards.”

Galen Armstrong, a local dad and organizer with For Our Kids, a national network of parents concerned about climate change, said the pandemic has brought home what it’s like to parent through a crisis.